The Baseball Observer - May/ June 2016
Roughrider Baseball Crowned NJCAA DI National Champions
Courtesy Yavapai College Athletics - by: Zachary Shaver
The Yavapai College Baseball team is the 2016 NJCAA Division I National Champions!!!
The Roughriders beat San Jacinto-North College Saturday night, 5-2, in the title game in Grand Junction, Colorado. The championship is the 4th for the Roughriders and the first since 1993. Yavapai concludes the season with a 49-20 overall record, an NJCAA Region I Division I Championship, a NJCAA Division I West District Championship and a National Championship.
In the month of May, Yavapai had a record of 12-1 that led them to the title.
The Roughriders had to come from behind for the victory. San Jacinto took an early 2-0 lead after three innings.
YC finally got on the board in the fifth inning on a Turtle Kuhaulua solo home run over the left field fence. Yavapai followed that up with a single run in the sixth inning when Caden Goldby chased home Gavin Johns with a single to right field. In the eighth inning, Johns hit a two-run home run to dead center to take the lead for good. YC added an insurance run in the ninth inning, a sacrifice fly from Johns scoring Christian Maggi.
JoJo Romero was stellar on the mound. He went the distance striking out 15 batters, allowing 8 hits and 2 runs.
Johns was 2 for 5 with 3 runs batted in.
For their efforts, a number of Roughriders were recognized for their outstanding play.
Making the All-Tournament team was Joseph Romero, Brock Ephan, Turtle Kuhaulua, Ramsey Romano and Nate Easley.
Head Coach Ryan Cougill
Named the Bus Bergman Coach
of the Year.
Nate Easley
Named the Jay Tolman Most
Outstanding Defensive Player.
Turtle Kuhaulua
Named the Preston Walker
Most Valuable Player.
50